22 things to do in Bristol this week, February 20-26 2023

Monday: Campfire Sessions – Naked Malt whiskey tasting + live music, Harbour Hub
Not what it sounds like, nu-skool distillery Naked Malt are hosting a tasting of their whiskeys crafted expertly into cocktails, and guided through a tasting by one of their experts. There will also be live music from acoustic duo Ward Smith. Oh, and did I mention you get to roast marshmallows over a campfire?

The Restaurant situated on the Harbour Inlet hosts the whiskey tasting evening – photo: Meg Houghton-Gilmore

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Monday-Saturday: Emilia, Circomedia (BOVTS)
It’s 1611 and, at the age of 42, Emilia Bassano becomes the first woman to have her poetry published in England. For centuries, history has overlooked this achievement in favour of her male contemporaries. Until 400 years later, that is. Morgan Lloyd Malcolm’s triple Olivier Award-winning comedy storms into Bristol next February. A concoction of historical inspiration and imagination, this period romp charts our heroine’s journey from young courtier to a radical writer, well-versed in pushing the boundaries of a stiff society.

With direction from the highly acclaimed Sally Cookson (A Monster Calls, The Old Vic; Peter Pan, National Theatre), this galvanising and riotous production vividly transforms Emilia’s life from page to stage, whilst giving voice to generations of silenced and exploited communities.

Emilia is the latest production from the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School – photo: BOVTS

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Now-May 1: Season of Photography, RWA
The RWA’s Season of Photography is in full swing and is a celebration of contemporary photographic practice in all its forms! Admission includes Jem Southam’s A Bend in the River, a beautifully observed series of photographs documenting the changes in the environment, and The RWA Photo Open including over 150 works showcasing the sheer quality and range of photographic work being produced by photographers and artists across the UK and abroad today.

RWA photo open – photo: RWA

Tuesday: Sam Sweeney, The Wardrobe Theatre
The incredibly highly decorated violinist has been nominated four times for musician of the year at the BBC Radio 2 folk awards, was the inaugural artistic director of The National Youth Folk Ensemble, and has been called “one of the defining English fiddle players of his generation.” He brings his no doubt encapsulating performance to Old Market’s Wardrobe Theatre.

Wednesday: The Wall, Tobacco Factory Theatres
A collaboration between the Tobacco Factory and Fundación Teatro de La Abadia Madrid, The Wall aims to connect two strangers from different countries/cultures for the first time via online video chat, mediated by a number of hosts in the room, in an attempt to show that solidarity can be borderless.

https://www.instagram.com/p/ComZEjKjhfF/

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Various dates: Free Exhibitions, RWA
The RWA presents a 3 free exhibitions and activities as part of its Season of Photography, opening this weekend. Between Work and Window displays the portraits of RWA Academicians by internationally renowned photographer Anne-Katrin Purkiss. Underexposed, by Alice Hendy, documents the brilliant work of individuals who attend Bristol Community Links. Fancy creating your own photographic work? The Lower Ground Floor is home to PhotoLab, an interactive exhibition where you’ll be encouraged to take part, play and explore.

Anne Purkiss at the RWA – photo: RWA

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Thursday: Murder mystery night: A gothic horror, The Mount Without
Gothic horror fans rejoice – here’s something that will shock, surprise and delight you. Prepare yourself for an immersive, interactive, themed party where you will be subject to bizarre happenings and twisted surprises  in this Murder Mystery experience. Expect clues to find, tasks to complete, and prizes to win!

Gothic horror murder mystery party at The Mount Without – photo: The Mount Without

Thursday: A night at the greengrocers, Broadwalk Shopping Centre
An open mic night in a fruit and veg shop in the Knowle shopping centre. It’s a completely open and relaxed environment, with all sorts of performers encouraged. If you want to perform, you should apply beforehand via email. If you want to come enjoy the talent on display, tickets are pay what you can, and will be funding the building of a new studio space.

The Knowle shopping centre hosts an open mic in its fruit and veg shop – photo: Charlie Watts

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Thursday: Eshaan Akbar: The Pretender, Hen & Chicken
After supporting some of the biggest acts in the UK, be sure to buy tickets for this much-anticipated debut tour from Eshaan Akbar. As seen on Mock The Week (BBC), QI (BBC), and heard on Spitting Image, as well as LBC, Times Radio, and Radio 4.

“Genius stand-up comedy” EdFest Magazine.

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Friday-at least March 2: Broker, Watershed
Watershed favourite Hirokazu Kore-eda’s (Shoplifters, Still Walking, Like Father, Like Son) first South Korean production is a delicate and big-hearted drama about a young mother who leaves her baby at a church, unaware that black marketers intend to sell it on to a childless couple willing to pay big bucks.

Friday: no_one 4th birthday, Thekla
The promoter has been up and down the UK, especially over the past year, championing some of the biggest names bubbling up in the UK Garage and Breaks scene. This Friday, they’re celebrating turning four, with an exciting set from Pineapple Records boss and Bristol mainstay Sam Binga going back to back with LA based Bianca Oblivion, making their debut in the city.

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Friday-at least March 2: Joyland, Watershed
A conservative family in Pakistan is torn apart when a son falls in love with a transgender erotic dancer, in director Saim Sadiq’s riveting queer drama. Join us at the 18:00 screening on Mon 27 Feb for Deaf Conversations About Cinema which will feature Descriptive Subtitles and an introduction from guest speaker, Harriet Taylor, (organiser of; Bristol Trans & Non Binary Creatives, SWITCH: an organisation bringing inclusive cinema to the big screen, with a focus on the trans/non-binary experience and curator of Reflections and Refractions: Gender on Screen film season).

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Saturday: Bristol Beacon presents: Native Harrow, Crofters Rights
Rich with shimmering psych-folk, introspective lyrical wit and sophisticated 60s homage – Native Harrow is Stephen Harms and Devin Tuel, who emigrated together from Pennsylvania to Brighton, England in 2021. After settling in at the very top of a crumbling regency building where the seagulls call to the sun’s rise and fall each day, they thought “this is the perfect place to make a record.” Two years on, Native Harrow have shared ‘Old Kind of Magic’ – an enchanted collection of songs that reprises 60’s sounds and sensibilities in a delightfully original way. Harms and Tuel have self-produced a work that is simultaneously their most sweepingly expansive and delicately intimate to date – moving dramatically from the opening field recording of the Brighton seaside, to Laurel Canyon-esque folk-rock, piano and rhodes tinged soul-jazz balladry, oud and harpsichord driven 60s technicolour psychedelia, dense modernistic string quartet writing, and wide-as-the-western skies panoramic pedal steel with sepia-toned 12-string. Support from Maz O’Connor.

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Saturday: Stand up for the weekend with Ria Lina & guests, Hen & Chicken
Ria Lina is a touring Filipina comedian, actor and writer known for her appearances on BBC’s Live At The Apollo, Have I Got News For You, The Now Show and Mock The Week – and in November was named as one of The Evening Standard’s ‘Hottest Comedians You Should Be Watching Now’.

Saturday: A Movement with Rosie from the Block, Cloak & Dagger
The first party of the year for one of Bristol’s most exciting jazz/broken beat promoters sees Rosie From The Block take to the stage, bringing her soulful blend of broken beat, jazz and groovy house to the intimate Cloak & Dagger space.

Sunday: Ritual Choreography – Dance Workshop, Strange Brew
Bristol based body language collective Ritual Choreography put on the final workshop in a series of workshops aimed at those wanting to explore movement in a fun, holistic way, with no barriers or judgement. This workshop in particular focuses on the idea of social being.

The experiential body language workshop ends it’s trilogy of classes at Strange Brew – photo: Ritual Choreography

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Sunday: Pinocchio, Redgrave Theatre
Steve Tiplady, as Geppetto, uses the objects of a carpenter’s workshop to tell the tale of the puppet that wants to be a real boy, and the puppet-maker who wants to be a real father. An element of improvisation makes each performance unique to its audience.

Pinocchio, Redgrave Theatre – photo: Redgrave Theatre

And coming soon…

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February 28: The Gigspanner Big Band, Redgrave Theatre
Their high-energy, virtuosic performances appeal equally to traditionalists and to those looking for something more experimental, and they have garnered praise from publications as varied as fRoots, The Telegraph and The Wire, where they were described as ‘melodically folk-rooted yet open and innovative beyond the constraints of genre. 

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February 28: Bristol Beacon Presents: Kerala Dust, Strange Brew
Kerala Dust creates a distinct fusion of Americana and blues with brooding electronica. The trio’s sound reflects the vast range of influences they draw from, taking in Tom Waits, CAN and The Velvet Underground alongside heady club music. The band, who are now based between Berlin and Zurich, released their debut album ‘Light, West’ towards the end of 2020. The record showcases Kerala Dust’s hypnotic sound, imbued with sprawling psych-rock and woozy electronic beats. Live, Kerala Dust’s eclectic, experimental approach makes for a mesmerising and vibrant experience. Support comes from Bristol-based band Quade.

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March 3: Shake art fair, The Mount Without
Shake is an independent Bristol-based Illustration fair which was started back in 2014. The event was started to encourage artists to get together, share their artwork and ideas and help contribute and grow Bristol’s thriving and diverse arts community by providing a place for illustrators to showcase and sell their art. The fairs happen a few times a year and are always a buzzing, eclectic and fun place to be!

Shake art fair – photo: Ivy and Pine photography

March 10: Bristol24/7 Mansion Takeover, Ashton Court Mansion
A collection of the finest of Bristol’s thriving music scene, and to celebrate the return of our printed magazine, we’re throwing a big party at the decadent Ashton Court Mansion. Expect performances from Ishmael Ensemble and Grove, and DJ sets from dubstep don Pinch and jungle legend Randall plus some of Bristol’s up and coming selectors sadsugar, Muna and Izmini. This one certainly won’t be one to miss.

Bristol24/7 Mansion Takeover Poster – photo: Bristol24/7

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March 10-18: This House, Tobacco Factory Theatres (BOVTS)
UK politics is in crisis and the country is in economic peril. Fights break out in the Houses of Parliament and the government whips can barely contain the chaos. Sound familiar? Well this time, it’s 1974 and in this not so distant past, Westminster is at war with itself again.

A hung parliament and the tiniest of margins mean that those in power will do everything to just keep going. Even if that means wheeling in someone on their last legs or direct from the maternity ward.  In a time where every vote counts, James Graham’s explosive and biting political comedy-thriller This House- which premiered at the National Theatre in 2021 – introduced us to the farcical and fanatical world of 1970s Westminster. Just how far will these parties go for political survival?

This House, Bristol Old Vic Theatre School – photo: BOVTS

Main photo: Tobacco Factory Theatres

Read next:

• Team behind Motion launch 3000-capacity creative venue
• First RPS Woman Science Photographer of the Year winner announced
• Bristol Festival of Ideas 2023 Spring programme begins

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